Abstract: An improved automatic immersion coating apparatus is disclosed herein which is particularly well suited for use in applying a coating to substantially all the exposed surfaces of a workpiece without incurring any potentially damaging or wearing of the surfaces thereof. The coating apparatus is designed to allow individual workpieces to free fall into a reservoir containing a supply of the coating solution and includes a catch basket, actuation of which is carefully timed so as to enable the time during which the workpiece is immersed in the coating solution to be minimized. Additionally, apparatus is also provided whereby the coating solution is continuously recirculated and the concentration level thereof carefully monitored. This monitoring system operates to actuate metering valves whereby the solution components may be automatically replenished thus enabling the optimum concentration level to be closely maintained.

Abstract: A spray orifice particularly adapted for discharging a mixture of an atomized release agent entrained within a gas stream for coating a surface of a forming die. The orifice includes a body section having an internal cavity terminating in a ball-shaped cavity portion adjacent its outlet end. The outside surface of the body adjacent the outlet end has a shape complementary with the inside surface to provide a relatively uniform wall thickness. A laterally extending slot is cut into the end and has a maximum width at its center and tapers to a minimum width at its lateral ends. Such configuration reduces the likelihood of finely atomized liquids dispersed in the pressurized gas stream from recombining to form larger size droplets. The included angle of discharge from the slot is adjustable through a rotatable adjustment cap having diametrically opposite cam surfaces which selectively cover side portions of the slot. A lock nut is used to maintain the adjustment cap in a desired set position.

Abstract: A spray assembly is disclosed which comprises a plurality of control valves disposed within a common housing each of which is independently actuatable whereby the flow of a plurality of fluids may be individually controlled for intermixing and delivery via a common outlet. The control valves utilized in the spray assembly of the present invention incorporate piston actuated plunger assemblies which are designed for extremely rapid operation whereby substantially maximum liquid fluid flow may be obtained almost instantaneously and rapid shut off may also be achieved.

Abstract: A new spray ring apparatus for use in forming apparatus of the type used in metal forming and glassware forming which include a forming cavity into which a fluid lubricant material is sprayed. In one embodiment, the spray ring includes a plurality of nozzles through which the fluid lubricant material is sprayed into the cavity in a tangential helical flow pattern to thereby uniformly coat the interior surfaces of the cavity prior to the forming of the metal or glassware parts therein. In another embodiment, an annular nozzle flowpath is provided with the helical flow pattern being imparted to the lubricant material via a tangentially disposed inlet opening into an annular manifold chamber. A plurality of nozzle openings may be provided in the outer surface of the spray ring which may operate to uniformly coat the outer surfaces of a punch or similar type of associated overlying forming tool.

Abstract: A spray assembly including an improved control valve is disclosed which is designed for heavy industrial usage to enable application of air and/or atomized liquids to be applied to the working surfaces of various types of forming apparatus such as molds and dies for example. The control valve utilized in the spray assembly of the present invention incorporates a piston actuated plunger assembly which is designed for extremely rapid operation whereby substantially maximum liquid fluid flow may be obtained almost instantaneously. Additionally, the spray assembly is designed so as to enable application of either one fluid alone such as blow air or both air and liquid. Also, the plunger is positioned so as to provide substantially unobstructed liquid flow into the air stream for atomization when in a fully open position thereby enabling large volumes of liquid to be applied within relatively short cycling time.

Abstract: A new spray ring apparatus for use in metal forming and glassware forming machines of the type having a forming cavity into which a fluid lubricant material is sprayed, said spray ring including a plurality of nozzles through which the fluid lubricant material is sprayed into the cavity in a tangential helical flow pattern to thereby uniformly coat the interior surfaces of the cavity prior to the forming of the metal or glassware parts therein.

Abstract: An ultrasonic transducer and a method for manufacture thereof in which a piezoelectric crystal is bonded to a flat diaphragm with the neutral bending axis of the crystal/diaphragm combination being within the bonding agent. The diaphragm is then pressed into the open end of a hollow shell. The resonant frequency of the shell, diaphragm and crystal combination is determined by the extent to which the diaphragm is pressed into the shell and, in the preferred example disclosed, is set at about 19.8 KHz. The shell cavity is then filled with a mixture of RTV and a nonconductive particulate material at a weight ratio between 5/1 and 20/1. This mixture lowers the Q of the transducer while also raising its resonant frequency to the desired 20 KHz.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sampling and optically measuring a selected characteristic of flowing particulate material in which a shelf plate projects transversely into the material stream to collect and hold stationary thereon a quantity of material in the form of pile having an inclined surface exposed at an angle of repose with respect to the plate and over which additional material may flow. After a selected number of optical readings of material flowing over the angled surface, the shelf plate is momentarily partially withdrawn from the material stream such that previously-collected material spills therefrom, and then the plate is returned to the material stream so that fresh material is collected adjacent the material surface.

Abstract: Apparatus for indicating the level of flowable material in a storage bin comprising a motor rotatably suspended by a spring within a protective enclosure and a drive shaft coupled by a ball-and-detent clutch to a paddle disposed within the bin to engage material therein. When the material reaches the level of the paddle, the drag on the paddle causes the motor to rotate eccentrically within the enclosure and thereby to activate switches disposed within the enclosure radially of the motor housing. A spring returns the motor to the switch-deactivated position when the material level decreases and the consequent drag is removed from the paddle.

Abstract: Apparatus for measuring a preselected characteristic, such as moisture, of viscous and/or absorption fluids in which an open hollow tube of optically reflective material is disposed within a fluid conduit closely adjacent an optical window to define a test material flow path between the window and reflector. A measurement beam incident upon the reflector tube from externally of the conduit through the window and test material is reflected thereby back through the material and window to detection apparatus. In alternative embodiments, the reflector tube is fixedly mounted coaxially with the conduit to define a fixed window/reflector separation, or is rotatably mounted eccentrically of the conduit axis for adjustment of the window/reflector separation.

Abstract: An ultrasonic transducer and a method for manufacture thereof in which a piezoelectric crystal is bonded to a flat diaphragm with the neutral bending axis of the crystal/diaphragm combination being within the bonding agent. The diaphragm is then pressed into the open end of a hollow shell. The resonant frequency of the shell, diaphragm and crystal combination is determined by the extent to which the diaphragm is pressed into the shell and, in the preferred example disclosed, is set at about 19.8 KHz. The shell cavity is then filled with a mixture of RTV and a nonconductive particulate material at a weight ratio between 5/1 and 20/1. This mixture lowers the Q of the transducer while also raising its resonant frequency to the desired 20 KHz.

Abstract: An ultrasonic transducer and a method for manufacture thereof in which a piezoelectric crystal is bonded to a flat diaphragm with the neutral bending axis of the crystal/diaphragm combination being within the bonding agent. The diaphragm is then pressed into the open end of a hollow shell. The resonant frequency of the shell, diaphragm and crystal combination is determined by the extent to which the diaphragm is pressed into the shell and, in the preferred example disclosed, is set at about 19.8 KHz. The shell cavity is then filled with a mixture of RTV and a nonconductive particulate material at a weight ratio between 5/1 and 20/1. This mixture lowers the Q of the transducer while also raising its resonant frequency to the desired 20 KHz.